Jack Nicklaus Christens First of Two Signature Courses at The Cliffs

Walnut Cove makes history debuting in a nationally televised PGA event

Courtesy of Cliffscommunities.com

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove is the only course in the PGA TOUR's history that will open with a nationally-televised PGA event. (Photo by Jim Mandeville)

The Cliffs Communities joined with golf legend Jack Nicklaus to unveil the first of two Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses, The Cliffs at Walnut Cove. For Walnut Cove's inaugural round, Nicklaus, with a persimmon wood driver, performed the ceremonial shot at the first tee, a hallmark of his course openings. He then shared 18 holes with actor and friend of The Cliffs Kevin Costner in an exclusive exhibition match. According to PGA officials, The Cliffs at Walnut Cove is the only course in the TOUR's history that will open with a nationally-televised PGA event. The Cliffs at Walnut Cove has been added as the third course in the 2005 Nationwide BMW Charity Pro-Am at The Cliffs, the premier event on the Nationwide Tour that runs April 25 through May 1 at The Cliffs and is broadcast live on The Golf Channel.

The fourth of five championship courses to open at The Cliffs, The Cliffs at Walnut Cove's Nicklaus Signature Course is set in the most majestic of natural environments, bordered by Pisgah National Forest and overlooked by the Blue Ridge Mountains and picturesque Blue Ridge Parkway.

"Walnut Cove provides an extraordinary natural setting for golf," Jack Nicklaus stated. "There are areas on the course that make you feel as if you are playing through a national forest."

The par 71, 7278-yard Nicklaus Signature course is designed both to challenge and reward players of every level, providing opportunities to enjoy and excel at their games. Situated in lush rolling meadowlands nestled within a natural amphitheater of spectacular scenery, The Cliffs at Walnut Cove features challenging greens, bentgrass fairways, and strong, strategic bunkering. The front nine holes are routed through the open fields of what was once rolling farmland and play over and across the soft ridges, including generous use of bunkers to create multiple challenges and risk/reward opportunities. The back nine plays more into the native woodland vegetation, crisscrossing over and around a number of mountain streams. Tree lines around these holes help to create their strong definition, while the streams become part of the player's overall strategy. A variety of shot values and four sets of tees cater to all handicaps, and changes in elevation, accompanied by the striking aesthetic qualities of the course, make The Cliffs at Walnut Cove a shoe-in for a memorable round.

"Opening a course of this caliber is always exciting," stated Ken Costanzo, Chief Operating Officer of The Cliffs Communities. "We are all very proud that Walnut Cove's impeccable condition met PGA approval for the course to be added to the rotation in this year's BMW Charity Pro-Am at The Cliffs."

"This course was a labor of love for us but well worth it," Daniel Brazinski, The Cliffs Vice President of Golf Operations, explained. "Our team of skilled agronomists, superintendents, and construction staff welcomed the opportunity to work with Nicklaus Design to ready Walnut Cove for its unprecedented debut."